Ice shaving machine



Oct. 13, 1953 H. G. BEYER 2,655,313

ICE SHAVING MACHINE Filed June 29, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V E N TOR. flERBEPT G. BEYEA fl TWP/VEYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. G. BEYER ICE SHAVING MACHINE Oct. 13, 1953 Filed June 29, 1950 Patented Oct. 13, 1953 UNI TED S TAT-ES PAT E N T F F I C E ICE SHAVING MACHINE Herbert G. Beyer, Baltimore, Md.

Application June 29, 1950, Serial No. 171,038

12 Claims.

This invention relates to ice shaving machines and aims generally to improve the same.

Know-n types of ice chipping machines employ ,a vertical cylindrical ice receptacle having in its bottom a rotatable ice chipping and delivering .device. This device, in typical machines-of this typ comprises two vertically spaced discs having a hub and radial vanesbetween them. The upper disc is radially slotted except near itscenter above the hub and carries chipping knives at the edge of suohslots. As the ice is chipped by the chipping knives, it drops into the 'vaned space between the discs and is thrown outwardly by the vanes tor the purpose of projecting it centriiugally through .a downwardly curved radial nozzle having its inlet radialalignment with the vaned space between the discs.

With such devices it has been found necessary to employ relatively coarse chipping of the ice, since fine chipping or shaving of the ice results in clogging of the vaned rotor and nozzle. In addition, for use in such machines theice has had to be broken up into relatively small pieces, which have frequently hadto be poked or stirred ,around from time to time to prevent failure ofthe chipping due to arching of the ice above the cutters.

Also due tothe radial delivery from such machines, the counter space requirements thereof have been excessive andthe nozzle, the receiving cup support, andthe associated automaticswitch means or the like, havehad to be so placed as to interfere with the easy passage of personnel therepast in the relatively restricted space behind the counters of soda fountains and like dispensaries.

Objects of the present invention, severally and interdependently, are to provide an improved ice shaving or chipping and delivering machinewhich is highly immune to clogging, even when very fine chipping or shaving of the ice is practiced; to provide combined centrifugal and positive interflngeringmeans to insure deliveryof the chipped or shaved ice; to provide a. machine in which substantially the entire bottom area ofthe ice charge in the receptacle may be subjected to the shaving or chippin operation (hereinafter termed "shaving" for brevity) to provide a machine in which the ice is discharged downwardly and in which the discharge nozzle, receiving cup support and automatic switch, if any, may be located at least partially in underlying relation to. the ice receptacle, reducing likelihood of accidental operation of the machine. or of collision of passing clerkstherewith; and to provide novel features and subcomblnations of parts contributing .to the realization .of the foregoing more :general objects, as will appear in connection with the following detailed association of an illustrativeembodiment of the invention. lhe invention consists in the novel features and combinations hereinafterdescribed and is defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings of an illustrative form of ice shaving machine embodying the invention:

Fig. l is a front elevation.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view with the cover removed.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectiontaken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are, respectively, an elevational detail partly in section of the stationary part of the discharging means, a plan view thereof, and an elevational detail partly in section. taken at right angles to Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a detail in vertical elevation of the ice shaving means and the rotary portion of the discharging means.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the illustrative embodiment therein shown comprises an ice container l0, preferably of vertical cylindrical cross-section. This container may be insulated by suitable packing material II or otherwise, and the machine is preferably enclosed by an outer jacket or housing l2, which may embrace the container in as shown and may extend therebelow to the base l3 of the machine in one piece, or with removable panel sections, as desired. In the form shown, the jacket I2 extends downwardly to the base aroundthe front half of the machine, except for the vestibule opening l4 (Fig. 1) hereinafter referred to, and the rear half of the space above the base I 3 and below the container It may be closed by a removable cover plate (not shown).

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the container H! has a top closure I5, shown asa removable cover, a bottom closure l6, and means for preventing rotation of an ice charge therein, shown as a vertical fin ll (Figs. 2 and 3) Welded or otherwise secured to the inner wall of the container Ill and extending nearly to the bottom of the chamber.

The bottom wall 16 (Fig. 2) is generally closed but has a discharge opening or passageway l8 therethrough, said discharge opening being in the bottom of the container near the side wall thereof. The bottom wall It in the form shown also comprises a central shaft passage I9, which may be provided with a journal bearing and with liquid sealin means, shown a an upstanding marginal flange 2B, for preventing passage through opening I 9 of liquid (from meltage of the ice or during washing operations) and causing it to pass across the bottom Wall I6 to the discharge opening I8.

. In the bottom of container I is a rotor assembly comprising an upper plate or cutting disc 22 (Figs. 2, 3 and 8) of substantially the same diameter as the interior of the container bottom. As best shown in Fig. 3, this cutting disc 22 has knives or cutters 23a and 23b mounted proximate to slots 24 therethrough in any usual or preferred manner, said knives or cutters in the form shown being positioned to scan the entire bottom area of the ice receptacle H]. In the form shown, contiguous central radial cutters 23a are shown abutting each other at the center of the cutting disc, and for simplicity a single outer cutter 23b is shown extending radially from the outer edge of the disc inwardly to meet the radius swept by the centrally located cutters, but the invention contemplates more knives being placed in the peripheral portions of the disc than at its center; say three or four of the outer knives 23b spaced around the cutter, as more ice is out near the margin than near the center of the disc.

Underlying the upper or cutting disc 22, and spaced therefrom, is a flat receiving disc 25 (Figs. 2, 4 and 8) of less diameter than the container bottom. The upper and lower plates are spaced from each other by a sufficient distance to permit shaved ice, descending from the upper plate, to fall upon the lower plate with such freedom and clearance that it is discharged centrifugally into the annular space outside the bottom plate between the container bottom l6 and the upper plate 22.

The upper plate or cutting disc 22 in the form shown is supported from the receiving plate 25 by suitable means, as spacer elements 26 of relatively small diameter.

In the form shown a plurality, herein four, of such spacers are employed placed near the periphery of the lower plate 25 to'leave unobstructed the central space, underlying the center of the cutter disc 23. This arrangement is particularly advantageous. It enables the cutters to operate over the entire bottom area of the ice charge. Thus bridging of the charge above the cutters is avoided; need for breaking up the ice into relatively small pieces before placing it in the container I0 is avoided; and need for poking or stirring the ice charge to break down any bridging of it in the container II] is obviated. Furthermore, in connection with the means for continuously clearing the annular space above mentioned, this construction is highly desirable. There is no central structure in the space be tween the plates against whichice particles may trap and freeze. Ice particles falling centrally of the lower plate 25 quickly and freely spin outwardly to the outer edge thereof, and the posts 26, near the periphery of the. plate, rotate only in a region of high centrifugal force and of relatively rapid radial movement of the ice, as compared to the center of the plate, and hence do not tend to accumulate or become clogged with the shaved ice.

An important feature of the invention, as above indicated, is the provision of means for positively discharging the shaved ice from the bottom of the machine. Prior ice chipping devices have simply swept the chipped ice about by rotary vanes and 4 have depended on centrifugal force to cause discharge of the ice through a radial opening in the side wall of the chamber in alignment with the rotating vanes. With such constructions fine shaving of the ice could not be successfully practiced. The shaved ice packed and sometimes partially recongealed against the outer wall of the chamber and simply bridged over and slid by this discharge opening. Also the discharge opening and vaned rotors of such prior devices frequently clogged, especially when fine shaving was attempted. Experience has shown that these difficulties are entirely overcome by the positive discharge means of the present invention, now to be described.

This means, in the form shown in Figs. 2 to 8 of the drawings, comprises inclined interfingering elements 30 and 3| in part carried by the rotor and in part positioned adjacent the outlet opening. The rotary interfingering or sweep elements 30 (see Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 8) in the form shown are carried by the upper or cutter plate 22 and project downwardly into the annular space about the lower plate 25. One or more sets may be employed, two sets being used in the illustrative embodiment as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 8. The rotary elements 30 have forward edges 30a (Fig. 8) downwardly and rearwardly inclined with respect to the direction of rotation. Since these elements are moving whenever shaved ice is being discharged by the rotor structure, and are cleared of shaved ice by the companion elements 3|, they may have substantial perimetral depth, as shown.

The cooperating interfingering elements 3| (see Figs. 2 to 7) are arranged adjacent the discharge opening [8, and are inclined downwardly and forwardly thereover. In the bottom discharge form shown in the drawings they are car ried by the bottom wall 16 of the container l0 and project through the discharge opening l8. They may be secured to the carrying wall in any desired way, as by machine screws 32 (Fig. 6), for example. In the illustrative embodiment these elements 3! are of baror rod-like form, as they overlap the rotary elements 30 on the inner sides thereof (see Figs. 2-4). Thus accumulation of shaved ice against the unswept innermost element 3! is minimized, and any small accumulation that builds up thereon quickly dislodges and falls outwardly into the path of elements 30.

The discharge opening l8 may be provided with an external discharge nozzle 33 (Figs. 1 and 2) preferably within the downward projection of the jacketed container Ill-l2. The nozzle 33 may be secured in place in any suitable Way, and guides the positively discharged shaved ice to the receiving cup, which may be a metal or paper cup, a glass tumbler, or any type of container usedin the dispensing of iced drinks and the like by soda fountains, restaurants and other users.

As above noted, the machine is provided with a cup-receiving vestibule or open space 35 (Figs. 1 and 2) at least partially underlying the container l0 and within the downwardly projected boundaries of the housing I 2. In the form shown, the base l3 of the machine extends forwardly of the vestibule partition 36, at 31, providing a bottom for the cup-receiving vestibule 35 and a tray for catching of water that may drip from the nozzle of the machine. If desired, a drain pipe (not shown) may be provided for the vestibule base 31, or a special receiving cup may be used andleft in place in the vestibule to catch n t, .q s raii e. a.

nuously, or" wh iheiheiti s mama e r -se e and the shaft thereabo use, oigthe "am ne of the present inven- '40 tion'; the container [0' is filled or partly filled with broken ice of any size conveniently enterable threihj ltotation ofthe eeeua ge is prevented by the abutment l1 and the entire bottomt arfla of the ice charge is scanned by the cut nskmves z3aandz3b- H When a ,receiyingcunisleit on the vestibule lfit 31,, tfindiheinozzleareprotected from ac- .cidental contact withihe, person or clothing of passing clerksmfwfhen theflmotor switch is A aetpated, therotori assembly 22-40 is rapidly revq red, shaving iceiofia fineness determined h gthe knives 231),. from the entire bbttom area qffl hevqhargeflilfhe shavedzice falling freely onto themotatingtable or receiving disc 25 is sentriiugally discharged. therefrom into the "annular space sweptby.,the interfingering elements 30. As these elements pass the discharge opening I8; the shaved ice carried thereby is, forced downwardly through the opening 30 by the inclined faces of the interfingering elements 30 and 3|. A positive removal and discharge of the shaved ice from the annular receiving space is thus assured.

It is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments herein described are illustrative and not restrictive of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims. All modifications which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are there- 70 fore intended to be included therein.

I claim as my invention:

1. An ice shaving machine comprising an insulated container, said container being of vertical cylindrical form, said container having a re- 7 5 comp Qlined e nime n fo e in a t. he

. a as t s ',vvTa e e l C sed; w th} g thiethrou h sai c a ge M ,A. .i l a assembly in the bottom. of the conta ner rising an upper plate of nearly the same diameter as the adjacent interionoi the con ta" a' lower plate of smaller diameter ng i an a swer space thereaboutisaid e are. d, a' att by rfw re lfy' "1 j 1 imagina e. ma l was a .n shavin c v a jih r emanate pa t cl He ne ha of is e t i 15, ther n nd, di ha n the; h ve e to snags .l inls said u p plate, sai izer:

ne an x. 's i m h ssnier 91 .514 blefi iae ai r t9 he ent p ses her o nselsi assembly, aying, n t e nn la pa e under aid! .u p n ets u ideth ed iq h tom of e n a n an tct'he ut et t r from th l h e ice dr. i s n o ai annu ar. s a and. ntrii sa l d sch r ed. bsrei v mm said ewenplate, said. .sweepi eans b ing n thefonn qid wnward y nclined. m e fins rine eleme ts. sa d ce taine ri in sa d nnu aris aee, andadiacent t e outlet n neit er rpmi eqatt naei ct n m ans i the orm s iqna y incli ed, .interfinserin el m nts verha n a d dis arg e n a d oat w thsaid swe p mea s fo mqsitivelyt forcing, dow wardly through said discharge openinggshaved ice swept thereto bysaid sweep elements, agcup-receiving vestibule underlyi1 1g,said discharge outlet and atleast partly underlying said containenj means forhdriving, said (rotor assembly comprising a motor within the base of the machine, rearward- 1y pr saidivestibule; and a cup-,actuable control tor said motor located in said vestibule and underne'a'thsaid container. p

,ZEAn. icfe shaving machine comprising a generally cylindrical container; means for preventing rotation of an ,ice charge therein, a rotor a'ssemgblyinthe bottom of said container, said assembly comprising a cutting disc of a diameter nearly equal to thatof the pontainer and spaced therebelow a receiving disc for centrifugally discharging shaved ice descending thereto from said cutting discls'ajd container having a discharge opening adj acentsaid assembly, means forrotating said, assembly, sweep means carried by said rotary assembly ,in position to sweep across said opening and having the form of i'nterfingerin'g element's ini lined to .sweepshaved ice to andurge it toward said opening; and stationaryinterfinger lhggeljements; extending at; least partially across said discharge opening and inclined forwardly thereto, and coacting with said sweep means to positively eject through said opening shaved ice swept thereto by said sweep means.

3. In an ice shaving machine, a container, a rotor assembly in the bottom of said container, said assembly comprising a lower disc or table, non-central supports extending upwardly therefrom and an upper disc carried by said supports in spaced relation to said table, ice shaving elements carried by said upper disc and scanning the entire area thereof, and arranged to discharge shaved ice downwardly therethrough, said container having a discharge opening arranged marginally of said assembly, sweep means carried by said rotary assemblyin position to sweep across said opening and having the form of interfingering elements inclined to sweep shaved ice to and urge it toward said opening, and stationary interfingering elements extending at least partially across said discharge opening and inclined forwardly thereto, and coacting with said sweep means to positively eject through said opening shaved ice swept theretoby said sweep means.

4. In an ice shaving machine, an ice container having a bottom wall and cylindrical walls extending upwardly therefrom, a rotor assembly comprising a lower disc rotatably mounted axially of said cylindrical wall and having its periphery spaced from said cylindrical wall to provide an annular sweep space thereabout, said bottom wall having a discharge opening in underlying relation to said annular space, a cutting disc above and spaced from said lower disc, and interfingering elements located in said annular space in part mounted for sweeping thereabout and in part stationarily mounted in overlying relation to said discharge opening for positively discharging through said discharge opening shaved ice entering said annular space.

5. An ice shaving machine having a vertical axis rotary cutter plate therein, means defining an annular space below and adjacent the margin of said cutter plate, means below said cutter plate for delivering ice shaved thereby to said annular space, a discharge passageway from said annular space, sweep means mounted to travel about said annular space and comprising interfingering elements inclined rearwardly toward the discharge passageway to sweep shaved ice to, and urge it into, said passageway, and stationary interfingering elements in said annular space and juxtaposed to said discharge passageway and inclined toward said passageway to also urge shaved ice into said passageway as it is swept thereto by said sweep means.

6. An ice shaving machine according to claim 5 in which said passageway extends downwardly from said annular space in underlying relation to said cutter plate, and in which the first named interfingering elements are carried by and project downwardly from said cutter plate.

7. An ice shaving machine according to claim 5 in which said cutter plate comprises cutting elements scanning its central portion, in which the means below said cutter plate for delivering shaved ice to said annular space'comprises a rotarytable, and in which said cutter plate is supported on said rotary table by supporting means non-centrallyconnected to said table andcutter plate and leaving unenclosed the portion of said 7 table lying centrally below said cutter plate.

' plate is afforded by spacer elements of relatively narrow cross section located near the margin of said table where they travel with substantial velocity when the machine is in use.

9. A rotor assembly for an ice shaving machine comprising a cutter disc provided with cutter means within the periphery of the disc and with communication means for delivering shaved ice through the disc adjacent said cutter means, a receiving disc spaced therebelow and of less diameter than the cutter disc and rotating therewith, and said cutter disc carrying downwardly and rearwardly inclined sweep elements positioned outwardly of the periphery of said receiving disc and rotating therewith.

10. A rotor assembly according to claim 9, said sweep elements having substantial circumferential extent.

11. A rotor assembly according to claim 9, in which said cutter disc has cutter means scanning its central portion, and in which said cutter disc is supported on said receiving disc by supporting means non-centrally connected to said receiving disc and cutter and which thus travel with substantial velocity when the rotor is revolved about its axis and provide a free receiving space under the center of said cutter disc.

12. An ice shaving machine comprising a container, a vertical axi rotary cutter disc at the bottom of said container, a rotary ice receiving element spaced therebelow and having an annular chamber thereabout and delivering to said chamber ice received from said cutter, a discharge opening from said annular chamber, sweep means travelling about said annular chamber for sweeping to said discharge opening shaved ice delivered to said annular chamber, and outwardly inclined ejector means overlying said discharge opening for sweeping shaved ice from said sweep means to positively force through said opening ice delivered thereto by said sweep means.

HERBERT G. BEYER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS" Number Name 7 Date Re. 20,952 Smith Dec. 20, 1939 152,655 Lane June 30, 1874' 555,002 Hanahan Feb. 18, 1896 666,211 Shortt Jan. 15, 1901 1,592,353 Newmeyer Apr. 27, 1926 1,856,835 Hays May 3, 1932 2,081,001 Coscia May 18, 1937 2,172,449 Pelot et a1. 'sept.'12,1939 2,181,000 Shively Nov. 21, 1939 2,428,420 Green Oct. '7, 1947 2,566,721 Dumbar Sept. 4, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 809,58 France Dec. 12, 1936 

